Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-12-15


they stopped before DR.. Adams door.
A bright light showed at his Office
Windows Miss Howells began to feel
misgivings-would they be glad to see
her? she questioned. 1t was awk-
ward. ''You will go in with me?" she
said. careicssly. smother;ng u little sob.
when lie replied: If you will please
excuse me. l will leave you at the
door. have a most important en-.
gagement for which am very late. -
To tell the truth. though the engage
ment existed. he was quite really to
leave the affair ut the doctors thresh-
old. Adams would probably chat
him away. for it began to dawn on him
that he was having a rather peculiar
experience. Since the girl knew
Adams he had done hi, duty when he
put her into his care.
The coacllman rang the bell. and
Paul. stepping into the deep snow.
said. as if he did such things every
day. Il shall have to carry YOU" and
lifting her in his strong arms he
reached the entrance just rs Adams
threw open tho door and the light from
the inner room sircamed out mo the
darkness. Before the doctors aston
ished face he deposited his burden. say.
ing:
'.Halloa, old fellow. I've brought
Miss Howells. A fearful night! She
VII tell you all about i!!' He heard
Adams call out, and Thank you," "
was borne down to him on the IA ging.
roaring wind. AMI lie was of. He
fancied he lad heard Adams say:
you're crazy! come back!' But he
forgot it all in 4 few moments when
he stood with his waiting clients be-
fore the blazing fire of the gentlemen S
reading room in the Vendomc. All re-
alizing sense of storm and warning
elements was lost in the warmth and
luxury of the great hotel. Business
matters drove the affair out of
his mind until he. long after
midnight, rested his head on
his pillow and thought it all
ever. and wondered if Miss Howells
had been put at ease ut once, and
smilinglv thought. knowing Adams
susceptibility that the doctor had
probably been made very happy by
this addition of \ very pretty girl to
his family circle. There fingered yet
in this mans heart u little bitterness.
born of the experiences of so long be-
fore. and his thoughts went back and
out upon many things before he slept.
And when he dill sleep, he dreamed
that his arms were full OF sealskins.
and that the BoyIston street doctor
was trying to stay him.
Miss Rhoda Howells. blinded by the
light. dismayed by the sudden fight
of Paul without her thanks, and puz-
lied by Dr.. Adams evident cmbarrass-
ment. as he gasped ou:: How do
you do?" while he still held the door
open. felt there was some thing wrong
in the air, but managed to recover her.
self first. and to say: MAY l not come
in? hope your mother will give Is.
shelter. did not know what else so
do" The doctor came to his senses,
led her in and shut the door. The
great hall was cold and utterly bare.
and the un carpcted staircase and un-
curtained sidelights told of the desola-
ton of an unfurnishcd and empty
house. A big fire burned chcerily in
the Office. into which they went. the
noise of the closing door behind them
echoing through the house.
Come to my fire." the doctor be-
gan. but I must explain at once.
My mother has gone South. The
house is to be let. l rcserving my Of
fee, and the tenants do not come in
until the 1st of January. There is
not a person or an article of furniture
in the house outside of this room. Mr..
didn't know this" And as
plainly as if he had said it his face ex-
pressed to her. What in the dickens
am to do with Sou?'
Poor Rhoda gave historical sob
and sank into a chair before the fire.
The physicians eye detected physical
weakness. and he prepared TO give
her !. glass Of wine, when she ex-
claimed:
1T is something to eat need.
Where shall l go? What shall l do?
How can go anywhere in this
stOrm?"
%! we will arrange all that" rc-
piled the doctor. now outwar lily nj
his ease. Il will get you to Il hotel or
get some one to come to YOU" men,
tally adding, How the deuce am to
10 cither?"
Unlike Paul. he fell 10 contemplate
ing the girl herself. remarkably pretty
in her distress. again inwardly adj
lressing himself: '.By Jove! but
lidn't know Jacks sister was such 4
bcauty!' She proceeded to explain
how she came there. The doctor had
already heard of the proposed party
rom Jack, whom he had seen ut the
heater the night before. Take off
your Jacket. sit down before the fire.
md l will give you what my bachelors
arder affords, and we will talk the
hing over and decide on something
She did as he babe her. The larder
furnished some crackers. cheese.
olives. pottcd chicken and q bottle of
wine 1t was ten o'clock. She was
7ery hungry and faint with the excite
nent. On small table pushed to her
idle these edibles were set out, and the
vine was just pouresl. when there came
. vigorous pull OF the door-bell This
,al not l,.,,n ca c,l If cd nnnn Il cnnll